Before and After: DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors

As warm weather arrives and you emerge into the light of spring, you may become suddenly aware of all the unsightly or dreary areas that mar your home's exterior. Don’t get overwhelmed! Before the outdoor season gets into full swing, try one of these quick and easy fixes that can make a huge improvement in the face your home presents to the world.

Paint Your Front Door

The front door makes a big impression—it's the first and last thing visitors see. Painting your door is a quick and low-cost way to instantly boost curb appeal. Whether you go with a stately classic like black or a bright pop of color like yellow or red, a fresh coat of paint will instantly spiff up a tired exterior.

Make Your Porch an Outdoor Room

Sometimes all you need to do is add decorative elements to transform a space from blah to beautiful. This front porch becomes a bona fide extra room in warm weather, thanks to the addition of a rug, outdoor furniture, throw pillows, and plants. What a great first impression for anyone who arrives at the door!

Update Your Address

Add a little art to the front of your home with a DIY house number upgrade. This graphically assertive sign required just a board and a little paint that was already on hand, along with some stencils for the numbers. The results are bold—the pizza delivery guy will never miss this house again.

Hide Your Electrical Box

Practical components like utility boxes and gas meters are a necessary evil, but do they have to be so ugly? Actually... no. Camouflage your service points by painting them with exterior paint in a shade that matches your siding. They may not completely disappear, but they will definitely blend in, improving the overall look of your home.

Lay Out the Landscaping

Even though your side yard doesn't sit in front of your house, most are visible enough from the street to make an impression on passersby. Creating a small, modestly planted landscaping bed makes this often overlooked space appear tidy and well maintained, and adds charm to your yard. The cheerful transformation shown here was accomplished with some inexpensive edging, weed barrier, mulch, and plants. Anyone can do this. (Yes, you too!)

Perk Up Your Pathway

A modern pathway makeover doesn’t have to be expensive or require professional labor. This walk was installed right on top of the old concrete path. The project can be completed in a half day, using simple tools and supplies from a big-box hardware store. The result is a sensational improvement that makes the house even more welcoming.

Upgrade Your Mailbox

The mailbox may not seem like a big contributor to curb appeal, and it's often just an afterthought in home construction. But you can’t deny that this stately upgrade makes a big difference in this property's street-side impression. This makeover is so much easier than it looks, accomplished by simply fitting a cast-stone surround over a 4x4 post.